Oxford United last night suspended manager Ian Atkins, just hours after Bristol Rovers confirmed that he would be their new manager for the start of next season.

United immediately announced that coach David Oldfield would take charge of the side for today's Division 3 trip to Mansfield.

In a statement issued last night, United said: "Following the announcement on the official Bristol Rovers website earlier this evening, Oxford United have suspended Ian Atkins forthwith.

"The most important thing at the moment is tomorrow's game at Mansfield, and David Oldfield will take charge of team affairs at Field Mill, with the full backing of the players."

As Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Thursday, Atkins will take charge at the Memorial Stadium in July, after his current deal at the Kassam Stadium expires.

He will join Rovers on a two-year contract.

Atkins had been hoping to continue overseeing the U's bid to win promotion to Division 2.

There is now speculation that former England and Arsenal midfielder Graham Rix could be the new man for the job.

Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford made his announcement last night following media speculation in which a number of different names had been linked with the Pirates vacancy.

"We were advised that Ian's contract at Oxford expires at the end of this season, with no guarantee of an extension, and therefore the opportunity to manage at Bristol Rovers next season is a very attractive option for him," Dunford said.

"Ian is doing a marvellous job at Oxford and they have high hopes of promotion. "He has worked within a limited budget and has brought together a group of players who are hungry for success and who work hard for each other."

Dunford added: "We have now reached agreement with Ian for a two-year deal once his contract with Oxford expires, and we look forward to working with him next season.

"However, Ian is still under contract to Oxford and it is his ambition to win promotion for them this season. We have made it clear to Oxford that we have no wish to interfere with that process.

"The media speculation has been unsettling for both clubs, so hopefully we can now move on and concentrate on this season."

United chairman Firoz Kassam, who has delayedoffering Atkins or players a contract for next season until he knows what division the team will be in, said his manager moving to Bristol in the summer was "news to me".

And he questioned whether Atkins could join Rovers, should Oxford win promotion, because his contract includes a one-year extension in the event of taking Oxford up.

However, that "roll-over" is understood to be an option rather than a binding contract.

Southampton found it very difficult to continue with Gordon Strachan once he had announced that he was no longer going to continue at St Mary's beyond the end of the season.

How the Oxford players will react now they know for certain that Atkins will not be their boss next season is also intriguing. Immediately, the fans have started asking who United's new manager will be.

Meanwhile, Paul Wanless could return from a toe injury for United at Mansfield, if on-loan Coventry midfielder Barry Quinn fails a late fitness test.

Strikers Julian Alsop and Steve Basham look likely to continue their front-line partnership, and that would mean Richard Walker, on loan from Blackpool, having to wait for his chance.

Mark Rawle is also back from injury, but Jon Ashton (knee) and Danny Brown (groin) are missing.

Mansfield Tn: (probable) Pilkington, Hassell, Day, Artell, Vaughan, Lawrence, Curtis, Williamson, Corden, D'Jaffo, Mendes. Subs: Larkin, Disley, J White, A White, Dimech.

Oxford Utd: Woodman, McNiven, McCarthy, Crosby, Bound, Robinson, Whitehead, Quinn or Wanless, Hunt, Alsop, Basham. Subs from: Walker, Steele, Hackett, Rawle, Scott, Waterman, Louis.